Official Language
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Official Languages
Kiswahili or Swahili is the official language with English being the official primary language of commerce, administration and higher education.
Tanzanians in most tourist areas speak English, but knowing a few Swahili words and greetings will be greatly appreciated, going a long way to smoothing your travels. For those based in Dar es Salaam and wish to study the language you can enrol with Swahili Dar Language School.
Swahili Language Basics
| English | Swahili |
|---|---|
| Hello | Habari |
| Yes | Ndiyo |
| No | Hapana |
| Okay | Sawa |
| Thank you | Asante |
| Please | Tafadali |
| Yes, please | Ndiyo tafadali |
| Good morning | Habari za asubuhi |
| Good evening | Habari za jioni |
| Goodbye | Kwa heri(singular), Kwa herini (plural) |
| Sorry/Pardon me | Samahani |
| Do you speak English? | Unasema Kiingereza? |
| I don't speak Swahili | Sisema Kiswahili |
| Where is it? | Iko wapi? |
| European (white person) | Mzungu |
| Slowly slowly | Pole pole |
| Very good | Mzuri sana |
| Child | Mtoto |
Numbers
| 0 | Sifuri |
| 1 | Moja |
| 2 | Mbili |
| 3 | Tatu |
| 4 | Nne |
| 5 | Tano |
| 6 | Sita |
| 7 | Saba |
| 8 | Nane |
| 9 | Tisa |
| 10 | Kumi |
By My Guide Tanzania
